Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BELLE JOURNEE (3) ran on strongly last start at Northam in an eye-catching effort and will appreciate getting back to the mile now. Sectional times back up what she showed there and the map looks kind to her again today. Can build on what she did last start and return to winning ways. LOVA SESSION (4) just missed over the mile at Northam last start as favourite, beaten 0.4L. Pike remains with the mare, though the wide draw is a niggle. Needs some luck from the alley, but if Pike can weave his magic, she's bound to be in the finish. WONDER WEAPON (5) stuck on gamely over 1400m last start and rises to the mile for just the second time. She looks ready for this trip now and the blinkers go on for the first time. Racing well of late and she can put her best foot forward with improvement expected. ALLEGRO SONATA (2) scored a nice win last start and although this is tougher, she maps for a similar run this time. SMOKING BARREL (8) can improve again third-up.
RACE 2 - Interesting 2YO event where SEPTEMBER BORN (6) appeals most on debut. He's shown plenty of ability at the trials, hitting the line impressively in both outings this time in work. He won't be too far away from the draw and if he can bring his trial form to the races, he can make a successful start to his career. AREDUET (8) bumped into a smart one last start over this course and distance and has been kept fresh leading into today's event. The draw is a worry, though she has performed well when running on previously. Brings the best exposed form and can make her presence felt. SOUTHERN SCANDAL (3) faded out of contention here a fortnight ago when beaten 5.1L, but should have come on from that effort. He trialled well leading into the fresh run and Pike sticking is a positive sign. Expecting a better run now. SUNSHINE TAFE (9) just missed as favourite at Northam and can be around the finish again in this.
RACE 3 - FINAL SIREN (1) led all the way to score over this track and trip first up, getting the job done by 0.7L. Pike remains in the saddle and the form from behind him has been solid. He does rise sharply in weight, but he has plenty of class and looks ready to win again. GINNIVAN (2) couldn't hold off the winner in similar grade last time out, finishing 0.5L off the winner 21 days ago. He's drawn well again for Gaerth who can be prominent from the outset and his 2kg claim comes in handy. Ready to peak third-up and will take plenty of catching. MAGICASH (10) continued the impressive start to her career with another dominant win at Bunbury on June 12. This is much tougher, but it's hard to knock anything she's done thus far and her ceiling is very high. Can make the jump. BOLTA (5) has been around the mark in his past couple and is sure to go close once more. CHOP SUEY (6) can stick his nose in the finish following a good first-up effort.
RACE 4 - CITINO (3) has been close without winning his past three, but this race looks to be his for the taking. He's likely to get back from an outside draw, but his recent form is superb and he can round these up to get back to winning ways. STRIKE NOW (1) dead-heated with an in-form galloper last start, getting right back to his best form. He maps for a similar run this time around and while he does rise in weight, he rates highly off the last start win, beating Citino. Can repeat the dose. SLUICE BOX (13) was just run off his feet last start and steps back out to this course and trip on the quick turnaround. He was good here two back and with some luck in running, he can be there when the whips are cracking. TRULY RELIABLE (7) wasn't far away at Pinjarra last start when coming home strongly from well back. Worth thought once again. TALLANGATTA (5) can cross and lead the field from the outset and his best form would see him hard to catch.
RACE 5 - FALCON TRADER (3) was too good at Northam in the WA Day Cup, winning by 0.7L on the quick turnaround. He maps for a good run here again and will carry the same weight with a rise in grade. Good win at his first try over the mile and he can go on with the job now. SAVAGE ONE (4) is ticking along nicely despite not winning, bumping into the progressive Rope Them In last start over 1400m. Ready for this trip now fourth-up and CJP hopping on board is a positive sign. Can find the front and take plenty of catching. SENTIMENTAL HERO (2) has never missed the placings second-up and should appreciate stepping straight out to the mile after finding his rivals too quick first-up. The booking of Chris Parnham suggests he's ready now and he's sure to go close with improvement expected. WESTRIVER MIRACLE (8) can build on the solid first-up run with Pike taking the ride. BIRDIEAGLE (5) has a nice second-up record and is not to be discounted.
RACE 6 - Hot race. DUCHESS OF GOSSIP (8) is ready to go now third-up following a bold effort 21 days ago at this track and trip. The booking of Chris Parnham is a big tick and while she's drawn wide, her ratings say she still has room for improvement. Can storm over the top to end her winning drought. TRIPLE JAY (7) hit the line almost locked together with Duchess Of Gossip last start and has to be included on that alone. He won well here two back and while he may need luck from the draw, he's already shown he's good enough this campaign. YONGA LASS (3) won well over an unsuitable trip first-up and Pike sticking with the mare is as good a push as any. Can burn across again to be handy in the run and the extra trip should increase her chances. MULTINATIONAL (1) will make his own luck up front and he's sure to be there for a very long way. TOO DARDY (11) steps out in trip for just the third time and warrants plenty of respect.
RACE 7 - RUSSIAN SNIPER (2) ran over the top to win narrowly over 1200m here a fortnight ago and steps out to this trip for the first time. His racing style suggests this trip won't be an issue and he can settle closer than he has done in recent races. Looks set for back-to-back victories. VALDARENA (11) is hard to knock on recent form, getting the job done here narrowly 21 days ago. She is a winner at this trip previously and she's still improving just 8 starts into her career. Can improve again with a rise in trip and make her presence felt. CALIFORNICATION (5) is better than what he showed last start when beaten 3.7L when backed into favouritism. The 2kg claim will come in handy and a return to his prior form will see him go close. DOCTOR JAY (9) ran over the top to win impressively first-up at Pinjarra. This is tougher, but he has plenty of upside. HIBISCUS LADY (8) can go on with the job following a good fresh win.
RACE 8 - Time for the Belmont Guineas where RUSSIAN TO THE BAR (1) goes on top. He probably found the 1000m too short first-up what was a barrier trial-esque effort. Now straight up to the mile where he was a Listed winner last campaign, posting strong ratings in the process. He can get back to winning ways. THE BOSS LADY (13) was the eye-catcher in the Raconteur when storming home from the back. She did have things to suit that day though with a hot tempo, and she has drawn wide again which is a niggle. She has shown she has the class though and deserves to be at the pointy end of betting. LUVNWAR (14) continues to improve, scoring impressively over 1400m last time out. Out to the mile can suit and she maps for a lovely run under Carbery. Down in the weights now and can make her presence felt. BRAVE SPIRIT (2) won the lead-up in strong fashion and has to be included. Last start SP is a worry though. PETROUCHKA (16) creates excitement with Pike riding after a big win at Northam last start.
RACE 9 - BERBERE (6) ran on strongly as favourite when resuming over 1000m at Belmont a fortnight ago. Right out to this trip for the first time raises eyebrows, but the stable and jockey combination are a force to be reckoned with. Strong through the line last start and with plenty of upside, he can get back to winning ways. MISS DRAKOVA (12) beat home Berbere last time when only 1.5L off the winner fresh and he's never missed the placings second-up. She's right down in the weights and although she hasn't won for a long time, she looks set to put her best foot forward today. NOTEWORTHY (5) can improve out to this trip closing off strongly over 1200m last time out behind an unbeaten galloper. The wide draw will see her a long way back, but she can peak third-up and storm over the top late. FLURO NEURO (4) was only fair first-up but does improve out to this trip. Drawn well for CJP and won't be far away. BENJI'S (1) can improve on the solid first-up effort.
